Shadowgram, named from Shadowgraph of Tangram, is an interactive toy, aiming to revive one of Chinese ancient toys, tangram, by combining it with modern interactive technology.

Graduation Design ZJUT, Hangzhou Apr-May, 2017

Keywords: Toy, Tangram, Shadow Puppetry

Number & Role: One, all except animation design

Direction: Interdisciplinary, HCI, Toy Innovation

Demo Video

As times develops rapidly, toys become increasingly modernized, the ancient toys, just like the abandoned aged, were quickly tired of by picky children. However, some ancient toys are brainchild of wise ancients, and they should be inherited.

Tangram is an ancient Chinese toy, consisting of seven flat shapes, which can be put together to form characters. According to the record, tangram can form over 1600 shapes. Tangram can not only serve as a playful toy but also an educational tool.

When I talked with parents in the toyshop, almost all of them don’t buy tangram for their kids, who consider tangram is boring. Besides, almost all of their kids are passionated about playing games in iPad.

Why are Interactive Toys so hot?

How to match specific toys with different children?

Swiss psychologist Jean Piaget divides the mental development of children into four different stages.

Finally define the target users as preschool child, kids between 3-6 years old, because they are in the Pre-operational Stage, a critical phase for children growth to develop diverse physical and psychological abilities. It is exactly what Tangram can help.

Challenge of Tangram Redesign

Concept Mind Map

Inspiration: Inspired from Shadow Puppetry, which is called the early form of animation and film, is also a kind of traditional culture in China, and noticed children love to play with shadows, I decided to combine shadow interaction with tangram to create a unique interaction experience.

Final Concept: A projector that can recognize the figures of tangram and then project them as interactive image

Implement Logic

Engineering

Animation Design: Design three (Crane, Tree, Wizard) of diverse characters formed by Tangram.